Episode 8Renee Pawlish authored the bestselling horror book Nephilim Genesis of Evil. A film noir lover, Renee wrote the Reed Ferguson Mystery Series and the Noah Winter series for young adults. Her latest book is This Doesn’t Happen in the Movies.

Episode 9 Shermin Kruse is a Chicago lawyer who frequently lectures on foreign policy and is a director of the Pasfarda Arts and Cultural Organization. In this podcast, we talk about the Middle East, US politics both foreign and domestic, fake scandals, real scandals, what the media isn’t telling you and how we could make the world a better place through art, connection and culture. Listen now.

Episode 12:Taut, claustrophobic and compelling, Wool is dystopian fiction that has captured the imagination of a cult of readers who can’t wait for more of the world Hugh Howey created. Cool author Hugh Howey is my guest and the conversation goes to surprising places. Hear Hugh now.

Episode 13:“Angsty” actor Jay Hash breaks down the lure of six-second movies on Vine, movies, the theater, comics, graphic novels and a Sean Connery impression that will blow you away. At the heart of this interview is Jay’s passion for Art with a capital A and a love of creativity and fun. Hear Jay’s interview now. Follow him on Vine at “Jay Hash”.

Episode 14: Gordon Bonnet! Cool teacher, science guy and author of Skeptophilia talks with me about navigating the world with a good brain, America’s potential doom and the wonderful evolutionary rewards of music. Tune in and listen now.

Episode 17: Dr. Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar is a charming and accomplished woman whose award winning book, Love Comes Later, was banned in her country, Qatar. This, despite her taking pains to be sensitive to Qatar’s culture. It’s a fascinating interview with an author who is a rising star.

I confess I embarrassed how little I knew of Qatar until I learned they’d prefer we really not know much about this tiny, yet extremely wealthy, nation (at least through native fiction.) Enjoy the conversation here.

Episode 18:Russ Sawatsky is a former Mennonite minister living with kidney disease. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss religion, Good and Evil, God, restorative justice, human behavior and his struggles with kidney disease. Listen to the interview here.

To learn more about how you can donate organs, to Russ and others, check out his website at kidneyforruss.wordpress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @rsawatsky, and spread the word and awareness. #DudeNeedsAKidney!